Headlines

Preds Assign Dekanich to AHL

by
Staff Writer
/ Nashville Predators

-Roster at 26 entering final preseason game on Sunday at Washington-

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Today's roster move indicates that Anders Lindbackhas earned the No. 2 goalie spot for the Opening Night roster. Lindback has appeared in three games during the preseason, plus an additional two rookie games at Florida prior to veterans reporting to Training Camp. He was perfect through the two rookie game appearances, posting shutout halves in both games. In his three preseason appearances he has stopped 54-of-58 shots (.931 save percentage) in 120:21 of action, picking up wins at Carolina (second half of 2-1 win) and at Atlanta (full game in 4-3 win).

Preds head coach Barry Trotz attributes the strong starts in the rookie games to Lindback's confidence in camp, "I think they were really important for him. Things happen a little quicker on the NHL ice than the Olympic ice, so those two games were big for him. A little smaller rink than he’s used to, so the visual, getting used to the different angles." Last night's win at Atlanta may have sealed the decision for the coaches, "I thought last night we had it set up where he was in a situation where he could win a hockey game and we could see how he deals with the pressure of a 3-3 game," Trotz said. "He handled it quite well. He also handled the finish in Carolina, coming in to a tie game there and playing that one out to the end. He’s just progressed (all camp); he’s gotten more confident. He’s worked on handling pucks, which they don’t do much of in Europe. He’s gotten better at the exchanges. And he’s made big stops at key times and he hasn’t given up any bad goals. He's gained the confidence of his teammates (with his performances in practice and the preseason games); his job now is to continue to grow that comfort level."--Jay Levin, NashvillePredators.com

Nashville, Tenn. (September 30, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has assigned goalie Mark Dekanich to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. The reduction puts Nashville’s Training Camp roster at 26 players – 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. All NHL teams must set their Opening Day player rosters (23-player maximum) by Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. CT.

Dekanich spent the last two seasons with Milwaukee, including lead the Admirals to a playoff berth last season with a 27-16-4 record, 2.33 goals against average, and .914 save percentage. He split a pair of preseason games during this year's training camp, stopping 12-of-14 shots in 58:36 of action.

The Predators wrap up the preseason on Sunday at the Verizon Center when they take on the Washington Capitals (11 a.m. CT). The regular season in Smashville kicks off on Oct. 9 vs. the Anaheim Ducks. All fans in attendance will receive an Opening Night t-shirt courtesy of Bridgestone. Tickets may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online via ticketmaster.com or nashvillepredators.com.